Robbie Tallott not the only T15 threat

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Cricket

EASTLAND Broncos all-rounder Robbie Tallott is not the only threat to Smash Palace Bail Breakers in Walker Shield T15 Blast cricket at Harry Barker Reserve tonight from 5.45pm.

Tallott, back from Otago University, sounded a warning to the T15 leaders with an unbeaten 85 for HSOB in last Saturday’s Doleman Cup win.

He followed that with 42 runs for Poverty Bay against Bay of Plenty in a Basil McBurney Trophy game on Sunday.

“Robbie’s a match-winner but he’s not the only one in the Broncos team,” said Bail Breakers captain and Tallott’s High School Old Boys teammate Jak Rowe.

“They’ve also got Craig Christophers, Graham Hudson and the Needham brothers Tom and Richie, who can all be match-winners and take the game away from you.

“We just have to be smart in setting fields to these guys in particular; try to build pressure.

“But I think I speak for everyone playing this type of cricket — we’re loving it.

“It’s good to play with players who are in opposing sides in the other two competitions.

“There’s a good atmosphere at T15 and a lot of good-natured banter when you’re bowling or batting against players who are your teammates in the other two competitions.”

Bail Breakers lead the competition with eight points from two games, followed by the Eagles and Bollywood Stars, both on four, and the Broncos, who have yet to win.

“That, plus the experience in their team, make them (Broncos) dangerous,” Rowe said.

The inclusion of Hudson gives Broncos skipper Christophers a quick bowler who will trouble all the batsmen and a batsman who announced himself to the local T15 scene with an unbeaten 46 off 38 balls.

Hudson also shared an unbroken third-wicket stand of 88 with Jack Faulkner (30 off 35) in a two-run loss to the Stars.

Stars captain Glen Udall is one of the most experienced players in the district and with Dane Thompson, Bruce Kerr, Scott Tallott, Ajay Kumar and Drew Scott, the Stars have batsmen who love to attack the bowlers — which will put the pressure on Matt Crampton, Tayla Hollis Baxter Mackay, Travis Mitchell, Nick Butler and Adam Whibley.